Arizona · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026
Serving divorce papers in Arizona
How your spouse gets the divorce papers in Arizona: who can deliver the papers, how your spouse can accept or waive service, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.
In short
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service. Your spouse then has this long to respond: 20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p).
- Accept or waive service
- Yes
- Law
- Ariz. R. Fam. Law P. 40-41 (service); Maricopa County Superior Court, 'How to serve court papers by registered process server' (https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/media/aiuljlzo/dr23pz.pdf)
How papers are served in Arizona
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
Law: Ariz. R. Fam. Law P. 40-41 (service); Maricopa County Superior Court, 'How to serve court papers by registered process server' (https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/media/aiuljlzo/dr23pz.pdf)
Deadline to respond and default
20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p).
If your spouse never responds, you can ask for a default decree.
Serving your spouse in Arizona, step by step
File your papers first
File with the Superior Court in your county. Service comes after filing.
Serve the papers
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
Or have your spouse sign
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
File proof of service
File the proof of service with the court.
Watch the deadline
20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p).
If there is no response
If your spouse never responds, you can ask for a default decree.
Questions about serving divorce papers in Arizona
How do you serve divorce papers in Arizona?
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
Can my spouse accept or waive service in Arizona?
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
How long does my spouse have to respond in Arizona?
20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p).
What if my spouse doesn't respond in Arizona?
If your spouse never responds, you can ask for a default decree.
More about divorce in Arizona
- All Arizona divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Arizona
- Arizona divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Arizona
- Child custody and support in Arizona
- Divorce timeline estimator for Arizona
- Divorce checklist for Arizona
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
- Timeline estimator
Serving papers in nearby states
- A.R.S. 25-312 Dissolution; findings
- A.R.S. 25-329 Waiting period
- A.R.S. 25-319 Maintenance guidelines
- A.R.S. 25-325 Restoration of name
- Arizona Superior Court Filing Fees
- Arizona Fee Waivers and Deferrals
- Arizona Judicial Branch Family Law
- Maricopa County Superior Court: How to serve court papers (response deadlines)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.